A Playlist to Overcome Negative Thoughts

On the days when the voices in my head yell inadequacies at me, I take them for a long walk. I ask them what they want from me. We have civil debates about my value. I introduce them to beautiful things like flowers and sunshine. I introduce them to broken things like dead birds and sidewalk trash. I acquaint them with my shadow. I ask them to be grateful for movement. After an hour or so of this, I make it back home and I ask them not to follow me inside.

This is a practice of mine.

This is how I overcome my negative thoughts.

Often on these days, I am in need of a playlist to help this process. It’s not a “happiness playlist.” There are too many of those, and often they are a lie. No, this is a playlist that soothes, challenges, asks, aids, heals, and bolsters.

It makes me dance.

It makes me cry.

It makes me yell.

It gives my brain space.

It asks nothing of me, but just to listen.

So I do. And I find that this playlist is one of the most helpful parts of my process on dark days. It lifts my spirit. It calms my soul. So I thought I’d share it with you. It’s here to help you in anyway you see fit. Take it for a walk. Play it in your car. Turn it on at work. Whatever you need – it is yours to have and hold.

I want to warn that there are a few explicit songs. So if that offends you – find a different playlist or skip those songs. I added them because sometimes it feels good to cuss and scream and yell in order to expel all of those negative voices. But I know we are all different, so if that’s not for you – I get it.

Some songs on this playlist are here simply to make you dance or boost your mood. Some are here to make you feel. Some are here to make you think. Some will make you want to scream. That is the point. I hope there is enough variation in the kinds of songs that everyone can find something for them in this playlist. Let it take you on a journey, let it make you feel anything and everything.

Take your negative voices for a walk and introduce them to music. Ask them to listen.

I want to make the distinction that I always make – depression and negative days are not the same. This playlist cannot conquer your depression (I wish it was that easy.) This playlist will not make you a happy person. But it can add happiness. It can make you happy-ier. Kind of like the food on my site can make you health-ier. The point isn’t to never have a bad day or to avoid negative feelings at all costs.

In fact, it’s quite the opposite.

I believe we have to walk through negative emotions in order to overcome them. That’s what this playlist is about – walking alongside those negative voices and asking them questions, challenging them. I think through that experience we will find that they don’t hold as much power as we thought. I think we might even make friends with them. xo.

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I love love love your writing here. Simple, beautiful, powerful. I think it’s perfect that you suggest “walking alongside those negative voices and asking them questions, challenging them” instead of ignoring them and pretending everything is great, like some people might advise. Thank you for you words and thank you for this amazing playlist! Love the variety and I can’t wait to give the whole thing a listen <3 xo